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09-19-2007, 06:11 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: FL
Posts: 10
| Advice for a first time yorkie buyer Hi everyone, I am thinking about getting a yorkie as a first pet. I am really excited, yet nervous at the same time. I've been around yorkies before and I absolutely love them. Can you guys give me any tips or suggestions for a first time buyer? I want to make sure I am making the right decision and am doing as much research I can as a first time buyer. For example: 1. how often do you have to take your dog to the vet 2. how much time do you need to spend with your dog? I go to school about 5 hours a day, is it ok to leave it at home for that time? 3. how much should i expect to spend on my puppy? how much do vet bills cost? 4. How often do they need to get shots? ..and anything else you guys think I should know!! Thanks so much! |
Welcome Guest! | |
09-19-2007, 06:25 PM | #2 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Findlay, Ohio
Posts: 513
| Good Luck on finding your puppy. I bet the first thing you will be told here is buy from a reputable breeder. If that is to expensive then you can always rescue one. Winstin is almost done with his shots and he has went to vet every few weeks. It has cost me around $70.00 every time. Once he is done he will only go once a year (I think) unless something is wrong with him. I am happy to see you are doing your research. A book I bought was on Yorkie's and it is by the AKC it has a lot of good info in it. Five hours is a bit long to be left alone at first. Maybe someone could puppy sit until the Yorkie is older. Best of Luck, Jen
__________________ With God ALL Things are Possible!! I can never again imagine my life without my little Yorkie friend. |
09-19-2007, 06:59 PM | #3 | |
Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas
Posts: 11,003
| Quote:
1. As a puppy, you'll want to take it to the vet for a check-up as soon as you bring it home just to make sure everything is okay. Your breeder should have a time-window for you to get your baby a checkup to make sure its not going home to you with any health problems. Then you'll need to take it until all vaccination are given. Then once a year for a checkup and any needed vaccinations. And sometimes in between if it gets sick. 2. I spend as much time as I can with Lacy. I was working full time and got to take her to work with me everyday so I used to be with her pretty much 24/7, but now I'm in vet school and away from her a lot. I come home at lunch every day to let her potty so she's not at home longer than 5 hours at a time. If you're going to be gone for five hours, make sure you don't bring the puppy home too early - 12 weeks or older would be ideal. That way you shouldn't have to be so concerned with hypoglycemia and it should have some bladder control by then. I would get an x-pen and put a bed in there and food and water and safe toys and a potty pad if you want to pad train, at least until the puppy is old enough to hold it five hours. 3. Vet bills vary from vet to vet. I would expect anywhere from $30-$50 for just an office visit and exam. I usually plan for $100-$150 everytime I have to go in for Lacy's yearly exam, heartworm test, and vaccinations. There are also food costs, toys, crate or x-pen, bowls, harness and leash, etc. And you want to make sure you've got some money saved up in case of an emergency. 4. Puppies are reccommended to get vaccinations at 8, 12, and 16 weeks although some vets do it differently. A lot do 6, 9, 12, 16 weeks so it just depends on your vet.
__________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue. | |
09-19-2007, 07:07 PM | #4 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: FL
Posts: 10
| Thank you! I didnt know that puppy shots are that frequent.. is that forever? Also, when a buyer posts that the puppy "has all shots" what does that mean? When will it be before the puppy doesnt need shots anymore? I plan on coming home at lunch time and during my class breaks to let him out. I know it's going to be a lot of work, but I really want this. Also, do you guys find that you have to wake up a lot in the middle of the night to take out the puppy? |
09-19-2007, 08:34 PM | #5 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Findlay, Ohio
Posts: 513
| Quote:
If person says puppy has all shots that can mean that the shots are up to date but not completed. (depending on how many weeks old the puppy is) If it is older than 16 weeks then the shots may be totally done for the year. Shoyts go on age just like MyFairLacy said above.
__________________ With God ALL Things are Possible!! I can never again imagine my life without my little Yorkie friend. | |
09-19-2007, 09:21 PM | #6 | |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Abbotsford, BC
Posts: 2,060
| Quote:
A commitment for any dog is about 12 - 15 years. I see many end up looking for new homes because of new locations, new jobs that were too demanding to also have dog, long hours for work and socializing. Having a young puppy around is like having a baby around. I have helped people place a new pup after only having it a week as no one was getting any sleep. No, not one I sold, the seller asked little or no questions and buyer didn't know questions to be asked. You can visit my website at www.loribenyorkys.com and read About yorkies and Puppy Enquiries. There is a lot of info there for you. No, none of mine are for sale on the Internet at anytime. I don't have anything anyway for sale. | |
09-19-2007, 09:48 PM | #7 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Illinois
Posts: 4,139
| You're getting great advice, and good for you for getting your questions ready BEFORE bringing a baby home!! Don't forget the potty training itself. That takes a lot of work, a lot of time, and a lot of patience for a few (several) months. Make sure you're ready for that, because a Yorkie (or any dog really) is only as well potty-trained as the effort that we put into it. But for some months of work, you'll get years of freedom!! Good Luck!!
__________________ Diane, and my boys ..... Coby and Reggie !! Striving to be a YTPP - a YT Positive Poster! In Memory of My Beautiful Mother 7/22/28-8/27/08 |
09-19-2007, 10:09 PM | #8 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: FL
Posts: 10
| Thanks everyone.. after reading all this, I've decided that I may not have the time for a puppy. I think about it constantly and have been doing so much research into it. But I guess it may be unfair for the puppy if I can't spend as much time as I should be with it. I'm currently going through optometry school and spend at least 5 hours a day in class (with breaks that I could come home to take out the puppy). But I am just afraid I won't have the time to potty train it at the beginning, etc. So how does everyone do it? I am sure everyone has a full time job and lives and children to take care of. Where did you find this time to potty train your dog, take it out for a pee.. etc? I am definitely willing to put time into a puppy. But it sounds like its a lot more than I can even offer! This is making me sad because i want a yorkie SOOO badly! |
09-19-2007, 10:21 PM | #9 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Illinois
Posts: 4,139
| I don't know whether to encourage you or congratulate you on your wisdom!! I have a full time job in management, so there are extra hours. I did wait to get a Yorkie until my kids were older, because I knew that Yorkies did take extra time. But when I researched for a dog when the kids were young, we ended up with a Shi Tzu because they acclimate better to the family instead of the family acclimating to the dog. Yorkies do take extra time, BUT they are worth it. Wait and see what other responses you get to your thread. There is a lot of wisdom and support here. And if you do decide the time isn't quite right, you can always hang around here and share our Yorkies!!
__________________ Diane, and my boys ..... Coby and Reggie !! Striving to be a YTPP - a YT Positive Poster! In Memory of My Beautiful Mother 7/22/28-8/27/08 |
09-20-2007, 03:16 AM | #10 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Findlay, Ohio
Posts: 513
| Quote:
Research is great but can also make things over whelming. If you get a Yorkie you just have to keep him/her in mind as you start making the rest of your choices in life. Once you get through the puppy stage its not bad at all, at least thats my experience so far.
__________________ With God ALL Things are Possible!! I can never again imagine my life without my little Yorkie friend. Last edited by Winstin07; 09-20-2007 at 03:17 AM. | |
09-20-2007, 03:41 AM | #11 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: NYC
Posts: 586
| Yorkies are the best!!! Have nodoubt about it. First, buy only from a breeder. And look at more than one puppy, look around to see whos out there. Also, you will know when the puppy is yours, in a way it will pick you. Dont depend on the warranty, or dont think you will bring the puppy back once you get him, unless you have no heart. I would never be able to do it. Yorkies are great companions, love to play and cuddle and just be monkeys from time to time. But they have lots of character and be to themselves at times as well. This will be you best pruchase made so far, so good luck. Oh and dont spend more than $1000. |
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